[Graeme]

Where the car is not king

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')f you thought political cross-dressing was a recent British phenomenon, you obviously haven't been to Portland.

In Oregon they were 'cross dressing' as far back as the 1970's when the Republican Governor, Tom McCall, took radical steps to prioritise public transport over roads, using the freeways levy to invest in the foundations of what is undoubtedly one of the most integrated and dynamic public transport provisions anywhere in the world.

Today, the city still invests its share of federal tax dollars into multiple modes of transport, and its long-term vision has paid off.

Over the last 10 years, public transport use has gone up by 65% and they have managed to avoid a predicted 40% increase in congestion.

And, incredibly for a city in the world's most car dependent nation, they're eradicating over 62 million car trips a year, which means car use is growing at the slowest rate anywhere in the United States.

[Graeme]

Well, at least Portland is doing something about private car use in it's city. If their strategy was repeated across the entire country, then oil consumption would of course be greatly lessened. Are you suggesting that Americans eliminate their cars altogether? If not, what would you propose?

[aflatoxin]

I travel all over the western US for work.

I visit Portland about four times a year. There is really no reason to rent a car there. From the airport, one can go anywhere in the metro area for free/nearly free. It is a relatively pedestrian friendly place too.

My friend that moved from Albuquerque to Portalnd sold his car after is sat for a year without being used. It's a pity that every western US city isn't like Portland

[jaws]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '.')..car use is growing at the slowest rate anywhere in the United States

[eastbay]

I've put around 400 miles on my bicycle puttering around Portland the last two months. Generally, the city is fairly flat with a few exceptions. Primary roads run straight through town, with bike lanes on most.

Bike lanes are everywhere. I have never seen so many bikes in an American city. Cars seem 'trained' to give bikes a wide berth.... which is strange coming from California where cars..... well, you know how people drive there.

I've had only one 'run-in' and that was with a bus, and it was today! We were leap-frogging each other from light to light as I was biking east on Stark from The 205 to Troutdale. Apparently the driver didn't appreciate my repeatedly passing him on his left and therefore cussed me out for passing him... he he he. He said I needed to remain in the bike lane, or something like that. Oh well, can't make everyone happy. Darn busses anyhow... heh.

But anyhow, it rains constantly and it's always windy here so you really don't wanna move here. Ask anyone, place sucks.

[aflatoxin]

I saw the governor of Washington state, on TV one day, say something to the effect of "nobody has shown me where we are going to replace the revenue that we will loose if people start using public transportation"

Gas taxes. Registration fees. Insurance. Sales tax.

Just look at where that attitude got the Puget sound/Seattle-Tacoma area. Perhaps not the worse traffic mess in the US, but definately up there. What I can't believe is the fight that is being put up to prevent (no, kill) public transportation in that area.

Eastbay: I tell people how much my favorite cities suck too. Especially tourists. I figure I can undo the damage the Chamber of Commerce does encouraging growth in my hometown for about four cents on the dollar. Emphasize the mildew, the bad schools, income tax, low speed limis and high gasoline taxes.

[Graeme]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'G')rowth is not a viable option.

[mrobert]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'G')rowth is not a viable option.